MVP discussion

Let’s talk about Minimum Viable Product (MVP)—one of those concepts that sounds simple but often gets twisted in practice. The idea is straightforward: build just enough of a feature so clients can actually use it and get value, then add more functionality incrementally as you learn and grow. It’s all about delivering real results, fast, and adapting as you go. Makes perfect sense.

But here’s the thing—too many folks still see MVP as a “big shiny box” moment. They expect a grand reveal, complete with a bow on top, instead of a series of smaller, meaningful deliveries over time. Honestly, that mindset feels like a leftover from the old Waterfall days.

Remember the “big bang” launches? The push to have everything perfect and complete, all at once, just as someone imagined it months (or years) earlier? That approach rarely worked out well. There’s no shortage of studies showing that vast chunks of requirements delivered in one go often end up unused, or the business needs have changed by the time the product lands.

I still get flashbacks to those endless meetings about change requests. The delays, the debates, the frustration—it was enough to make anyone twitchy. Early in my career, I experienced many of those cycles, and I can’t say I miss them.

So why is there still this urge for the big reveal, when the real value comes from steady, smaller deliveries? Maybe it’s a habit, or maybe it’s the allure of “done” all at once. But we know better now: customer needs evolve, and waiting too long to deliver means you risk missing the mark entirely.

Here’s how I like to frame it: when I was a personal trainer, I always advised clients that it’s better to eat several small meals throughout the day rather than three large ones. Your body functions better with a steady flow of energy, rather than a massive overload all at once.

It’s the same with product development. Give your clients small, valuable increments. Let them use, react, and give feedback. That way, they get helpful something sooner—and you get the insights you need to make each next step even better. It’s a win-win: faster value for them, and a more adaptable, resilient product for you.